Vancouver 1st Ward YW and Leaders
We taught new.familysearch.org and Indexing to YW/ leaders in Vancouver 1st Ward. They are quick learners and anxious to begin their family histories and Indexing.
There are 15 YW; almost all of them are from the Philipines, are active members , and attend on Sunday. The leaders love working with these young women because they are humble, and teachable.
Only 4-5 girls usually attend Mutual on Tuesday evening It is difficult to attend because they live long distances from the church. Several families in the ward travel by bus or sky train. Not only is it costly, but makes a late night for youth who have homework and school the next morning.
This is an ongoing challenge for Young Women leaders .
There are 15 YW; almost all of them are from the Philipines, are active members , and attend on Sunday. The leaders love working with these young women because they are humble, and teachable.
Only 4-5 girls usually attend Mutual on Tuesday evening It is difficult to attend because they live long distances from the church. Several families in the ward travel by bus or sky train. Not only is it costly, but makes a late night for youth who have homework and school the next morning.
This is an ongoing challenge for Young Women leaders .
Departing Elders
Elders and Sisters Lewis and Traxler (left) and Elders and Sisters Healey and Jones (right), sharing tears and smiles at the Vancouver temple, as nine Elders begin their journey home.
4-10-12
4-10-12
Serving in the Chinese Branch
Sisters Yao, Sun, and Okada. As we introduced ourselves, starting with Sister Yao, she and Sister Sun(pronounced soon) told us which part of China they were from. When we got to Sister Okada, she said she was from a suburb of China called Wyoming....Cody to be exact! These sisters are outstandinging missionaries. They go to public areas(malls, bus stations, and such) and talk with people. As a result, several people have been taught, and baptized.
Easter
We celebrated Elder Muhlelstein's birthday during our Easter dinner. It was nice to enjoy the afternoon with Elders serving in the mission office, Elders serving in Richmond Ward, Sisters serving in the Chinese Branch, mission office staff and less active members.
LDS Employment Resource Centre
We had numerous opportunities to "visit" with and "listen" to those utilizing the resources at the ERC. Many need a listening ear as they manage the frustrations and challenges associated with seeking employment. Non members were impressed with the services provided by our church.
On April 13, two sister missionaries arrived to serve full time in the ERC. We will miss serving there.
On April 13, two sister missionaries arrived to serve full time in the ERC. We will miss serving there.
LDS Employment Resource Centre
Elder Jones taught J.S. Verma computer skills during several afternoon sessions. He has a great desire to learn about the internet and computers. He is from India, and is such a nice man. He loved visiting with Elder Jones and accepted a message about our church and a Book of Mormon from him, and he said he would read it. Members and non-members utilize the services available at the ERC. Those visiting the centre always enter a warm, friendly, welcoming atmosphere.
Zone Leaders
Following our training meeting with Elder Richard J. Maynes, one of the Presidents of the Seventy on 3-17-12. Elder Jensen and Elder Chung, Zone Leaders, serve in Vancouver 1st Ward East.
Called to Serve
Elder Caten and Elder Day serve in Vancouver 1st Ward West. Elder Caten was baptized three years ago and loves being a missionary. We are blessed to know and serve with these young men.
New Friends
Elder Kwon and Sister Kim (married, from Korea, thus different last names.) We were in the MTC together. They serve in the Korean Branch in Burnaby. We see them when we meet together for training and when we attend the temple.
Vancouver Temple
We attended the temple twice this week. The departing Elders and Sisters attend the temple before they leave the mission. On Tuesday six senior couples, including President Noftle and his wife, attended a session with them. This is a great blessing we will participate in every six weeks.
We also attended the temple with the Vancouver 1st Ward. These photos were taken on Sat., March 3, 2012, after our ward temple assignment. Following the session, we spent two hours cleaning the temple. It was a wonderful experience, just like it was in the Denver temple.
Welcome to Canada Vancouver Mission
Following our meeting with President and sister Tilleman, we drove to a nearby restaurant with President Noftel, counselor in the mission presidency. We enjoyed a delicious lunch and became better acquainted with President Noftel, and those serving in the mission office.
L to R: Elder & Sister Traxler from Colorado, Elder & Sister Jones, Elder & Sister Lewis from Utah, and President Noftel from Abbotsford, BC.
Canada Vancouver Mission President & Sister Tilleman
Tues., Feb. 21st, we were warmly welcomed to the Canada Vancouver Mission by President and sister Tilleman. He was wearing a neck brace as a result of a recent serious injury. The mission had fasted and prayed for President Tilleman following the accident. His recovery has been miraculous. His great faith and determined attitude, combined with continual prayers throughout the mission and on the temple roll, will bring him to full recovery, as promised in a blessing following his accident. We were so happy to meet him, as we had been told he would be in the hospital through the end of March. We were the first missionaries he welcomed upon his "early" release from the hospital.
We were asked to serve in Vancouver 1st Ward with less active members and recent converts. We will be locating, visiting, teaching and " inviting" the less active members back to activity. We will be introducing "How Do I Start My Family History" and new.familysearch.com to recent converts. Our goal will be helping them prepare four generations and locate family names to take to the temple. We will also serve in the Employment Resource Centre in Surrey until two sisters arrive in a few weeks. There will be many opportunities to share the gospel there as well.
Canada-USA Border
Monday, February 20, 2012...We arrived in Canada. We felt safe through out our entire journey. From Longmont to Provo, then onto Canada one week later. The weather and roads were clear, and crossing the border took only twenty minutes.
This is a beautiful area, at least what we have seen after the rain and clouds lifted. We are told they specialize in "Wet" here in Vancouver. We can vouch for that so far.
We traveled to our apartment in Surrey, which was furnished and ready to move in to. Surrey is a city southeast of Vancouver. We will live here for a few weeks until the sisters arrive, then we'll probably move to Richmond, south of Vancouver, home of the mission office. We've adapted to our new surroundings very quickly. We recognize "tender mercies" every day and appreciate many prayers offered on our behave.
This is a beautiful area, at least what we have seen after the rain and clouds lifted. We are told they specialize in "Wet" here in Vancouver. We can vouch for that so far.
We traveled to our apartment in Surrey, which was furnished and ready to move in to. Surrey is a city southeast of Vancouver. We will live here for a few weeks until the sisters arrive, then we'll probably move to Richmond, south of Vancouver, home of the mission office. We've adapted to our new surroundings very quickly. We recognize "tender mercies" every day and appreciate many prayers offered on our behave.
Left Hand Creek Missionaries
We met two of our favorite Elders at the MTC! Elder Russell Platt, and Elder Jordan Trane. We're all from the Longmont Left Hand Creek Ward. Elder Platt will be serving in the California San Jose Mission. Elder Trane will be serving in Japan. It was great to see them and witness their excitement about their missions. Love these Elders!!
MTC - Provo, Utah
We entered the Mission Training Center Feb. 13, 2012.
We were there with seventy senior missionaries, called to serve various types of missions throughout the world. It was a great week!
Full Time Missionaries
We received our official letters from Salt Lake City on December 22, 2011, to serve in the Canada Vancouver Mission as member, leader support missionaries, which means we will do whatever the mission president needs us to do.
We were set apart as full time missionaries by President David Richards on February 10, 2012. We were thankful for the love and support of our children and grandchildren.